Dennis Franchione useless: He coached Alabama soccer, TCU and Texas A&M

Published On: October 7, 2026

Up to date Oct. 6, 2026, 9:45 p.m. ET

Former school soccer coach Dennis Franchione, who was head coach at 5 FBS colleges over a prolonged and embellished profession, has died, his household confirmed to the Fort Value Star-Telegram on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

He was 75 years outdated.

Franchione was most well-known for his teaching tenures at Alabama (2001-02) and Texas A&M (2003-07). He additionally coached at New Mexico (1992-97), TCU (1998-2000) and Texas State (1990-91 and 2011-15), the final of which he helped transition from FCS to FBS within the 2012 school soccer season.

Over his greater than 20 years as an FBS head coach, Franchione’s groups went 133-116.

Franchione had beforehand coached at NAIA Southwestern School in Kansas, Division II Pittsburg State in Kansas and at Southwest Texas State, which was an FCS faculty on the time earlier than altering its identify to Texas State and shifting to the FBS ranks. He was the Bobcats‘ coach throughout that transition, serving to pave the way in which for a program that’s now in its first season within the Pac-12.

After guiding New Mexico to its first bowl berth in 36 years, he first made a reputation for himself nationally at TCU, the place he took over a program that went 1-10 and led it to a few bowls in three seasons. That run was capped off by a 10-1 common season in 2000, the Horned Frogs‘ most wins in a season since 1938. That season, star working again and future Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson completed fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.

That success earned him the head-coaching job at Alabama, which was coming off a 3-8 season. The Crimson Tide went 10-3 in Franchione’s second season, however as this system was coping with NCAA sanctions from violations dedicated by his predecessor, Mike DuBose, Franchione left for Texas A&M. He spent 5 seasons with the Aggies, going 32-28 in that point, earlier than resigning after the Aggies beat No. 13 Texas of their regular-season finale in 2007.

Franchione had been identified with a cancerous tumor in his kidney in 2016. He was once more identified with most cancers in 2021, however was in full remission after therapy. His household advised the Star-Telegram the most cancers returned earlier this 12 months and he was positioned into hospice care earlier this month.

This is what to know of the longtime coach:

Dennis Franchione teaching profession

Franchione started his teaching profession in 1973 as head coach at Miller Excessive College in Missouri, earlier than leaving for an assistant position at Mulvane Excessive College in Kansas in 1975. He coached two extra years of highschool soccer at Peabody-Burns Excessive College in Kansas in 1976-77.

The next 12 months, Franchione started his lengthy school soccer teaching profession as a receivers coach at Kansas State from 1978-80; head coach at Southwestern School (1981-82); and offensive coordinator at Tennessee Tech (1983-84).

In 1985, Franchione took over at Pittsburg State, main the Gorillas for 5 seasons from 1985-89. He then took over at Southwest Texas State from 1990-91 earlier than taking up at New Mexico from 1992-97. Following six seasons with the Lobos, Franchione then left for TCU soccer, whom he coached for 3 seasons from 1998-2000.

Franchione leveraged his success with the Horned Frogs (three successful seasons, together with a 10-1 mark in 2000) to interchange DuBose at Alabama, which was mired with NCAA investigations on the time. Regardless of going 10-3 in his second season with the Crimson Tide in 2002, Franchione left this system to return to Texas, the place he took over the Texas A&M program from 2003-07.

Although his Aggies tenure is maybe most notable for a 77-0 loss to Oklahoma in 2003, Franchione did get pleasure from three successful seasons in School Station, together with a 9-4 mark in 2006. He additionally received two straight video games over Texas in 2006-07. He resigned instantly following his win over Texas in 2007.

Dennis Franchione teaching file

Together with his time within the FBS, FCS, Division II and NAIA ranks, Franchione had a profession file of 213-135-2. This is a year-by-year take a look at how his groups fared:

Southwestern (1981-82): 14-4-2
Pittsburg State (1985-89): 53-6
Southwest Texas State (1990-91): 13-9
New Mexico (1992-97): 33-36
TCU (1998-2000): 25-10
Alabama (2001-02): 17-8
Texas A&M (2003-07): 32-28
Texas State (2011-15): 26-34
Total: 213-135-2

How did Dennis Franchione die?

As famous by the Star-Telegram, Franchione was identified with a cancerous tumor in his kidney in 2016. In 2021, Franchione obtained a prognosis of a “extra aggressive” most cancers, however went into full remission after therapy. The Star-Telegram reported the most cancers returned earlier this 12 months, and he was moved to hospice in October.

TCU assertion on Dennis Franchione

To see the college’s full launch, click on right here.

“TCU mourns alongside the Franchione household on the passing of ‘Coach Fran. Our fortunes as a division wouldn’t be what they’re at this time with out the efforts of Coach Franchione, his workers, and gamers. Past his expertise as a soccer coach, he was a beloved father, mentor, and pal to so many. Our ideas and prayers are together with his spouse, Kim, and your entire Franchione household.” – TCU AD Mike Buddie

“Our program’s ideas and prayers are with the Franchione household in addition to all these whose lives he impacted. Coach was a real gentleman who beloved his time at TCU and set this system on the trail to the entire nice success that has adopted. School soccer is in a greater place for having Dennis Franchione’s affect on it, and at this time is a good loss to all who knew him.” – TCU head coach Sonny Dykes